The retail industry claims it loses $30 billion a year from organized retail crime—rings of professional shoplifters who sell their goods at flea markets, pawn shops, and online through auction sites like eBay—so they’re asking online sellers to help by posting serial numbers of products and by providing more information on high-volume sellers. Right now all they can do is ask, but there are politicians in Washington who are making noises about pursuing a legislative solution.
shoplifting
Man Files Defamation Lawsuit After Being Accused Of Shoplifting By Home Depot
By 10.23.07
A man who purchased a lawn tractor at the Edwardsville, IL Home Depot went back inside to buy some more stuff while employees loaded his tractor onto his truck.
Wal-Mart Employee Fired For Stopping Punch-Happy Shoplifter
By 10.19.07
Up until last week, Victoria Smith was a Customer Service Manager with at a Wal-Mart in New York. Then she intercepted a shoplifter, released her to the wild (as is legally required), and then got punched in the face when the shoplifter snapped and ran back into the store. Three days later, she was fired for touching the customer.
All Charges Dropped Against Circuit City Receipt Refuser
By 9.21.07
Legal charges have been dropped against Michael Righi (pictured), the guy arrested after refusing to show his receipt to Circuit City, and his driver’s license to a police officer, in exchange for Righi’s pledge to not sue the city. On his blog, Righi writes that he was willing to fight the city to the end without forfeiting any rights whatsoever, but he wanted to spare his family, who would have been principal witnesses, from a protracted legal battle.
Packing Fudge: Woman Arrested For Stealing $70 Worth Of Fudge
By 8.7.07
A Maryland woman with a purse completely “packed” with fudge was arrested last week in the Maryland House Hotel where she was found, covered in chocolate and crying hysterically, on on a lobby sofa. The sofa was also stained with chocolate.
33-Year-Old Mother Banned From Walmart For Life
By 7.29.07
Meet Anenide Cherry. Walmart banned her from entering their Palm Bay, FL store after she was caught using her three kids to steal merchandise worth over $300. Loss prevention officers observed Cherry’s tikes, ages 6, 12, and 15, bagging unscanned items at the self-checkout counter. From Local6:
Walmart Will Now Prosecute Shoplifters As Young As 16
By 7.12.07
With increased shoplifting and employee theft hurting Walmart’s bottom line, the store says it will now go after first-time shoplifters who are as young as 16. Previously, it was Walmart’s policy to only prosecute first-time shoplifters who were at least 18.
More Than $3 Billion Stolen From Walmart This Year
By 6.13.07
According to the AP, so-called “shrinkage” at Walmart could rise to more than $3 billion this year. The shrinkage comes from a combination of supplier fraud, employee theft, bad bookkeeping and, of course, shoplifting.
Home Depot Employees Fired For Helping Police Catch Shoplifters
By 6.5.07
“We saw them with the merchandise. We saw them run out of the store. I never kept my eyes off of them. Then when we asked them for a receipt, and that’s when they dropped the merchandise and they kept running. One guy still had a chainsaw while he was running, and that’s when the cops tackled him,” he said.
Walmart Evicts Shoplifters Wearing Signs Reading "I Am A Thief I Stole From Walmart"
By 5.13.07
Convicted shoplifters are no longer welcome at Walmart, even if they wear signs proclaiming: “I am a thief, I stole from Walmart.” Walmart was initially gung-ho about the decision to publicly shame the thieves, and even planned to keep the signs for future use. Their dreams of shoplifter shame now lie slightly worn at the return desk after a Walmart attorney told Judge Kenneth Robertson that the shoplifters were persona non grata at Walmart.
Robertson said the attorney said WalMart was afraid “that people might try to run [the shoplifters] down or throw something at them.”
Walmart does not want blood on their hands parking lots. Judge Robertson has ordered the shoplifters to finish their sentence outside his courthouse, where they apparently can’t be run down or have things thrown at them. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
Shoplifting in Supermarkets: People Steal Meat and Analgesics
By 1.3.07
The Freakonomics Blog had an interesting piece the other day about shoplifting in supermarkets. Theft of “Health and Beauty” items (usually the most stolen category) is down this year. The category has been surpassed by “meat and analgesics.” When we’re broke we want to eat a steak and get numb, right? That’s the American dream, right there.
The Straight Scoop On If Stores Can Legally Stop You And Check Your Receipt
By 11.27.06
According to consumer reporter Asa Aarons, unless you’ve signed a membership agreement contractually obligating you, bag searches and receipt checks are voluntary. As in, you can refuse.
Ask The Consumerist: Do I Have To Let Stores Check My Receipt?
By 11.25.06
Reader Carlton writes in with a query:
10,000th Shoplifter Gets Parade
By 5.12.06
A Dutch store owner, sick of shoplifters, decides to give the 10,000th shoplifter a big prize, including party hat, cake and an in-store marching band.
